RabbitCore RCM4100
User's Manual
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2. Getting Started

This chapter describes the RCM4100 series in more detail, and explains how to set up and use the accompanying Prototyping Board.

NOTE This chapter (and this manual) assume that you have the RCM4100 Development Kit. If you purchased an RCM4100 module by itself, you will have to adapt the information in this chapter and elsewhere to your test and development setup.

2.1 Install Dynamic C

To develop and debug programs for the RCM4100 series (and for all other Rabbit Semiconductor hardware), you must install and use Dynamic C.

If you have not yet installed Dynamic C version 10.01 (or a later version), do so now by inserting the Dynamic C CD from the RCM4100 Development Kit in your PC's CD-ROM drive. If autorun is enabled, the CD installation will begin automatically.

If autorun is disabled or the installation does not start, use the Windows Start | Run menu or Windows Disk Explorer to launch setup.exe from the root folder of the CD-ROM.

The installation program will guide you through the installation process. Most steps of the process are self-explanatory.

Dynamic C uses a COM (serial) port to communicate with the target development system. The installation allows you to choose the COM port that will be used. The default selection is COM1. You may select any available port for Dynamic C's use. If you are not certain which port is available, select COM1. This selection can be changed later within Dynamic C.

NOTE The installation utility does not check the selected COM port in any way. Specifying a port in use by another device (mouse, modem, etc.) may lead to a message such as "could not open serial port" when Dynamic C is started.

Once your installation is complete, you will have up to three new icons on your PC desktop. One icon is for Dynamic C, one opens the documentation menu, and the third is for the Rabbit Field Utility, a tool used to download precompiled software to a target system.

If you have purchased any of the optional Dynamic C modules, install them after installing Dynamic C. The modules may be installed in any order. You must install the modules in the same directory where Dynamic C was installed.

2.2 Hardware Connections

There are three steps to connecting the Prototyping Board for use with Dynamic C and the sample programs:

  1. Prepare the Prototyping Board for Development.

  2. Attach the RCM4100 module to the Prototyping Board.

  3. Connect the programming cable between the RCM4100 and the PC.

  4. Connect the power supply to the Prototyping Board.

2.2.1 Step 1 — Prepare the Prototyping Board for Development

Snap in four of the plastic standoffs supplied in the bag of accessory parts from the Development Kit in the holes at the corners as shown.


Figure 2. Insert Standoffs

2.2.2 Step 2 — Attach Module to Prototyping Board

Turn the RCM4100 module so that the mounting holes line up with the corresponding holes on the Prototyping Board. Insert the metal standoffs as shown, secure them from the bottom using two screws and washers, then insert the module's header J2 on the bottom side into socket RCM1 on the Prototyping Board.


Figure 3. Install the Module on the Prototyping Board

NOTE It is important that you line up the pins on header J2 of the module exactly with socket RCM1 on the Prototyping Board. The header pins may become bent or damaged if the pin alignment is offset, and the module will not work. Permanent electrical damage to the module may also result if a misaligned module is powered up.

Press the module's pins gently into the Prototyping Board socket—press down in the area above the header pins. For additional integrity, you may secure the RCM4100 to the standoffs from the top using the remaining two screws and washers.

2.2.3 Step 3 — Connect Programming Cable

The programming cable connects the module to the PC running Dynamic C to download programs and to monitor the module during debugging.

Connect the 10-pin connector of the programming cable labeled PROG to header J1 on the RCM4100 as shown in Figure 4. Be sure to orient the marked (usually red) edge of the cable towards pin 1 of the connector. (Do not use the DIAG connector, which is used for a normal serial connection.)


Figure 4. Connect Programming Cable and Power Supply

NOTE Either a serial or a USB programming cable was supplied with this Development Kit. If you have a serial programming cable, an RS-232/USB converter (Rabbit Semiconductor Part No. 540-0070) is available to allow you to use the serial programming cable with a USB port.

Depending on the programming cable, connect the other end to a COM port or a USB port on your PC.

If you are using a USB programming cable, your PC should recognize the new USB hardware, and the LEDs in the shrink-wrapped area of the programming cable will flash — if you get an error message, you will have to install USB drivers. Drivers for Windows XP are available in the Dynamic C Drivers\Rabbit USB Programming Cable\WinXP_2K folder — double-click DPInst.exe to install the USB drivers. Drivers for other operating systems are available online at www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.

2.2.4 Step 4 — Connect Power

Once all the other connections have been made, you can connect power to the Prototyping Board.

If you have the universal AC adapter, prepare the AC adapter for the country where it will be used by selecting the appropriate plug. Insert the top of the plug assembly into the slot at the top of the AC adapter as shown in Figure 4, then press down on the plug until it clicks into place.

Connect the AC adapter to 3-pin header J1 on the Prototyping Board as shown in Figure 4 above. The connector may be attached either way as long as it is not offset to one side—the center pin of J1 is always connected to the positive terminal, and either edge pin is ground.

Plug in the AC adapter. The PWR LED on the Prototyping Board next to the power connector at J1 should light up. The RCM4100 and the Prototyping Board are now ready to be used.

NOTE A RESET button is provided on the Prototyping Board next to the battery holder to allow a hardware reset without disconnecting power.

2.3 Run a Sample Program

Once the RCM4100/RCM4110 is connected as described in the preceding pages, start Dynamic C by double-clicking on the Dynamic C icon on your desktop or in your Start menu.

If you are using a USB port to connect your computer to the RCM4100/RCM4110, click on the "Communications" tab and verify that Use USB to Serial Converter is selected to support the USB programming cable. Click OK. You may have to determine which COM port was assigned to the RS-232/USB converter. Open Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > Ports and identify which COM port is used for the USB connection. In Dynamic C, select Options > Project Options, then select this COM port on the Communications tab, then click OK. You may type the COM port number followed by Enter on your computer keyboard if the COM port number is outside the range on the dropdown menu.

Now find the file PONG.C, which is in the Dynamic C SAMPLES folder. To run the program, open it with the File menu, compile it using the Compile menu, and then run it by selecting Run in the Run menu. The STDIO window will open on your PC and will display a small square bouncing around in a box.

2.3.1 Troubleshooting

If Dynamic C appears to compile the BIOS successfully, but you then receive a communication error message when you compile and load a sample program, it is possible that your PC cannot handle the higher program-loading baud rate. Try changing the maximum download rate to a slower baud rate as follows.

If a program compiles and loads, but then loses target communication before you can begin debugging, it is possible that your PC cannot handle the default debugging baud rate. Try lowering the debugging baud rate as follows.

If you receive the message No Rabbit Processor Detected, the programming cable may be connected to the wrong COM port, a connection may be faulty, or the target system may not be powered up. First, check to see that the power LED on the Prototyping Board is lit and that the jumper across pins 5–6 of header JP10 on the Prototyping Board is installed. If the LED is lit, check both ends of the programming cable to ensure that it is firmly plugged into the PC and the programming port on the Prototyping Board. Ensure that the module is firmly and correctly installed in its connectors on the Prototyping Board.

If there are no faults with the hardware, select a different COM port within Dynamic C as explained for the USB port above. Press <Ctrl-Y> to force Dynamic C to recompile the BIOS. If Dynamic C still reports it is unable to locate the target system, repeat the above steps for another available COM port. You should receive a Bios compiled successfully message once this step is completed successfully.

2.4 Where Do I Go From Here?

If the sample program ran fine, you are now ready to go on to the sample programs in the RCM4100 User's Manual (click the documentation icon on your PC) and to develop your own applications. The sample programs can be easily modified for your own use. The user's manual also provides complete hardware reference information and software function calls for the RCM4100 and the Prototyping Board.

For advanced development topics, refer to the Dynamic C User's Manual, also in the online documentation set, which is on the Dynamic C CD in a docs folder..

2.4.1 Technical Support

NOTE If you purchased your RCM4100 through a distributor or through a Rabbit Semiconductor partner, contact the distributor or partner first for technical support.

If there are any problems at this point:

Rabbit Semiconductor
www.rabbit.com
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